Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday his daughter was making progress at a drug treatment center.
Noelle Bush, 24, was arrested at a pharmacy drive-through window Jan. 29 for allegedly trying to buy the anti-anxiety drug Xanax with a fraudulent prescription. She was admitted to a court-ordered drug treatment program in early February.
“I think she’s in better shape because . . . she went through the drug court system and knows that in spite of whatever the ailment is that afflicts her, she’s got to confront it,” the governor said after addressing a drug-policy advisory council.
If Noelle Bush graduates from her drug program, criminal charges will be dismissed.
Florida’s first-time offenders are often sent to special drug courts, where they meet frequently with a judge and attend meetings before graduating.
Drug courts serve about 11,000 people a year in Florida. Last year the state trimmed $1 billion from its budget, including cutting funds to help abusers.
The governor said Monday he wants to restore funding for those receiving treatment in the drug court program.
